I have had this for over 30 years. It was an original 5.5x14 with factory installed 3 point Radio King throw off with extended bridges on both sides.

It is very rare because it has a GORGEOUS SOLID ONE PLY BIRDSEYE MAPLE SHELL!

THAT MEANS THAT THE STUNNING HIGHLY FIGURED BIRDSEYE IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE!!

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER ONE LIKE THIS IN 35 YEARS OF COLLECTING!...

NOT SAYING THERE ARE NO OTHERS...BUT I NEVER SAW ONE MYSELF.

THE MOST ACCURATE PHOTO SHOWING THE TRUE COLOR AND APPEARANCE OF THIS SHELL IN PERSON IS THE PHOTO WITH THE CLOSE UP OF THE BADGE ... THAT IS PRETTY MUCH EXACTLY THE WAY SHE LOOKS IN PERSON!!

In person the drum looks even better, the tone and hue of the lacquer is just gorgeous. It was professionally done way before I got the drum 30 years ago and it has mellowed perfectly evenly to a gorgeous VERY WARM golden glow.

See the close up photo of the badge only (photo #1) for the exact look of the drum in person!

The original owner had replaced the 3 point RK throwoff and butt plate with a Slingerland TDR system and professionally recut the bearing edges but if you reinstall an original Radio KIng 3 point throwoff, butt and extended bridges set up...all the holes for the TDR parts except for one tiny one towards the top on the butt plate side will be either covered or very hard to see.

The drum is PERFECTLY IN ROUND and new heads fit on very easily!

Thanks for your question: Yes, the lug holes are 2 1/4 ctc and the TDR holes are 2.5" ctc

I got the drum 25 years ago as a COMPLETE and perfectly functioning Radio King model snare drum. It had the original Slingerland ("Sound King" 1955-1970's type) lugs and chrome over brass rims. The lug holes were NEVER enlarged because the original lugs were on it. If someone wants to put back on "Radio King" Streamlined lugs the existing original holes are perfect with NO MODIFICATION! (Sound King and Radio King Streamlined doubled ended snare lugs have the same mounting hole pattern!!!! I have correct bridge extenders, 3 point throw off, butt plate and wires for the drum I may put on and cancel the auction early and relist the complete drum for a lot more.

I have had so much interest in the shell that I am considering putting it all together again as a complete ready to play drum and relisting it but the price will be a lot higher. I am not sure if I will make it a 1930's-1954 type Radio King with the original engraved Stick Chopper rims or the 1955 and later "Sound King" hardware Radio King... Buddy Rich told Eames late in life that his favorite snare drum of all time was the 5.5x14 Radio King. The bearing edges are very close to original except that one side only was made steeper. But it is still the FAT WIDE Radio King bearing edge that gives it that sound. Sometimes when guys recut edges they make a modern double steep thin edge...NOT THE CASE HERE... in fact one could easily sand down the high side and get back to the original type edge...however this drum was one of the very most articulate, dynamic, sensitive and crisp snare drums I ever heard. GUARANTEED it may be the best vintage snare you ever heard...it just happens to look beautiful also. IF YOU WANT THE SHELL ONLY HIT THE BUY IT NOW QUICKLY BECAUSE I MAY END THE AUCTION ANYTIME NOW AND RELIST THE DRUM COMPLETE FOR A SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER PRICE.

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